Italian Pomegranate Production Increases to 18,000MT in 2022 With 65% Consumed Domestically

Until 2013, the Italian GDO (Grande Distribuzione Organizzata) distributed 95% of imported pomegranates. As of 2022, about 1.5 thousand hectare (ha) of pomegranates are cultivated in Italy for a production of approximately 18 thousand metric ton (mt), a growth that follows the increase in the cultivation of tropical fruits in Italy. 65% of the Italian origin pomegranates are sold domestically, while the remaining 35% is primarily exported to Northern Europe. Alongside the most popular varieties such as Wonderful, Valenciana, Acco, and Hicaz in Sicily, the production also includes indigenous pomegranates such as Primosole, Dente di Cavallo, and Etna. The W40 wholesale price of Italian origin pomegranates ranges between USD 1.85 to 2.15 per kilogram (kg).